The North Zulch ISD school board held their monthly meeting for June on Thursday and honored members of the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), who raised over $5,000 throughout the school year.

“The PTO is a vital part of our school and community here at North Zulch,” said Assistant Principal Johan Osth. “They are the main connection between the school and the community. When they see a need, they do not hesitate to help.”

Some of the accomplishments by the PTO throughout the 2017-18 school year include the purchase of new water bottle fountains, microwaves, two pavilion covers for the playground, $25 to each teacher and staff member for Appreciation Day and they even delivered meals and school supplies.

The PTO members represented and presented with a certificate were PTO Treasurer Amber Alewine, Vice President Mitzie Brockman and President Kristi Rhodes.

The board also discussed an upcoming Tax Ratification Election (TRE) that is required since they plan to raise their M & O tax rate by six percent. However, the overall taxes themselves will go down a touch over five cents for the year as a whole.

“It is very important for the public to understand that the overall taxes as a whole will be going down,” said North Zulch ISD Superintendent Alan Andrus. “The district’s overall taxes have also gone down over nine cents in the last two years.”

Applications for a ballot by mail must be received no later than the end of business on July 5. For eligible district voters, early voting by personal appearance will be conducted each weekday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. from June 29 through July 12. Election Day voting will take place on July 16 from 7 a.m. through 7 p.m.

The board will also begin a discussion about the Guardian Program and if they implement it at NZISD for the 2018-19 school year. The Guardian Program is an effort to combat school shootings by arming a qualified member of the staff, typically a safety officer. It has been used in many districts in Texas and the exact details vary by location.

“We as a board will reach out to community members as well as the Madison County Sheriff Department during the process,” said Andrus. “We will review other similar plans in the area that have just been implemented as well as those that have been in place for years to see if there might be something that is right for us.”

Before he came to North Zulch, Superintendent Andrus worked at a district with the Guardian Plan in place at West Hardin.

In other business, the board:

Approved board minutes of May 10 regular meeting and May 24 special meeting